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About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 15, 2017)
S moke S ignals OCTOBER 15, 2017 25 17 Walking On... Darrel Leroy Mercier Sept. 23, 1929 – Sept. 22, 2017 Tribal Elder Darrel Leroy Mercier, a life- long resident of Grand Ronde, Ore., walked on Friday, Sept. 22, within two miles of the residence where he was born. Born Sept. 23, 1929, Darrel is the eldest son of Hubert Mercier and Martha Hudson Mercier, all members of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. Darrell shared 51 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Ruth Ham Mercier, who preceded him in death in 2001. Darrel and Ruth are survived by their children, Connie Lopez of Tucson, Ariz., Carmen Mercier, Mark Mercier, Margo Mercier, Lowell Mercier, Doug (Eric) Mercier, John Mercier and Barbara Branson, who all reside in Grand Ronde and Willamina. Darrel also is survived by his siblings, Crystal Thomas, Lennis Mer- cier and Dennis Mercier of Grand Ronde. His brothers, Winston and Francis (Frank) Mercier, preceded him in death. Darrel worked in the logging industry falling timber and as a log truck driver, mechanic, and bulldozer and loader operator. Darrel supported the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s Restoration effort and served multiple terms as a Tribal Council and Timber Committee member. He attended Mass throughout his life at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Grand Ronde. Darrel loved his family. He was a deer/elk hunter, raised beef and enjoyed many campouts with family and friends for lake fishing. Dar- rel and Ruth traveled through much of the United States during their retirement. Darrel cherished and valued relationships he had with his in-laws, extended family and numerous friends. A funeral service was held Thursday, Sept. 28, in the Grand Ronde Tribal gym. Private interment followed. To leave a message or memory, visit www.dallastribute.com. Wesley “Buddy” West Oct. 1, 1942 – Oct. 7, 2017 Grand Ronde Tribal Elder Wesley “Buddy” Wheaton West walked on Saturday, Oct. 7, at his home in Grand Ronde surrounded by family. Wesley was born Oct. 1, 1942, to Wesley West and Marion Haller-Da- vidson. He is survived by his wife, Delores “Dee” West; daughter, Kathy Miller of Bellevue, Neb.; granddaughter, Jamie Miller; sisters, Joyce Dehart of Independence, Ore., Jean Turman of Spokane, Wash., June Olson of Happy Valley, Ore., Judith Meyer of Grand Ronde, Ore., and Joannie West of Chewelah, Wash.; brother, Wilbur West of Monmouth, Ore.; stepsons, Ron Wheeler of San Jose, Calif., Thomas Mitchell of Hubbard, Ore., and Roger Mitchell of Colorado; and most recently he was blessed with a great-grandson, Jase Steinspring. Free Playgroup in Grand Ronde! * When: First Thursday of each month 10:00 am-11:30 am Where: CTGR – Community Service Center 9615 Grand Ronde Road Grand Ronde, OR 97347 Who: Parents and caregivers of children under 5 years. Why: Come to play, have a snack and have fun! Wesley grew up in a large Tribal family and is also survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews. Wesley was preceded in death by his parents, Wesley West and Marion Haller-Davidson, as well as stepfather Damon Davidson; daughters, Misty Kay West and Shelly Kay West; sister, Janice; brother, Wallace “Wally” Ward West; and stepson, Dennis Mitchell. Wesley grew up in ODell, Ore., and joined the Army after graduating from Wy’East High School in 1960. He was deployed to Vietnam where he served three tours of duty with the 101st Airborne Division and was wounded. He received many high military service and combat honors, including the National Defense Service medal and Vietnam Service medal with two Bronze Stars. He served in the Army for more than 20 years, including as a military policeman and a recruiter, and was stationed in a number of countries during those years. After retiring from the military, Wesley and his family lived in Ne- braska where he started his own mobile home repair business, becom- ing very skilled in heating and electrical repair. In his life Wesley also worked as an educator and, among other things, helped members of the Sioux Tribe earn their GED. He owned other businesses and also lived in Georgia and Alabama before returning home to Oregon in 1996. Wesley settled in Sheridan to be close to the Tribe and it was there he met his wife, Dee. The two were married in 1999. Wesley and Dee were devoted to each other and did most everything together. After returning home, Wesley found a new calling in public service and spent most of his time in Grand Ronde. In 2004, Wesley was elect- ed to Tribal Council and served for one term. He was passionate about economic development, Tribal housing and programs for Elders and veterans. In his life, he often said he was most proud of the things he helped accomplish for his people during the years he served on Tribal Council, and was very humbled that Tribal members trusted him with that honor. After serving on Tribal Council, Wesley ran for a seat in the Oregon Legislature, and although he didn’t win that election he never lost in- terest in state and local politics. Wesley enjoyed family and Tribal gatherings, attending church, and old-time country and gospel music. He had a wonderful voice and when she was alive often sang with his mother, Mary. He enjoyed making and selling Tribal-inspired arts and crafts, including cradleboards and pipes. One of Wesley’s favorite pastimes was just talking with people at Tribal events. Funeral services will be held at the Grand Ronde Tribal gym at 12:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16, followed by a potlatch gathering at the Tribal Elder's meal site. Rather than flowers, family would like friends and relatives to consider giving a donation to cancer research. Museum seeks designs for Native American memorial WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Museum of the American Indian is inviting people to submit designs to build the National Native American Veterans Memorial, which is slated to open in 2020. The international competition is open to students, architects, designers and anyone else who wants to submit a design. The Veterans Memorial will be placed on museum grounds at the National Mall. A blue-ribbon jury of Native and non-Native artists, designers, scholars and veterans will judge the design entries. The competition consists of two stages: An open call to submit designs and the jury selecting five finalists. More information will be available on the museum’s website on Nov. 11 – Veterans Day. For more information on the contest, call the museum at 202-633-6796 or visit http://nmai.si.edu. Board seeking younger veterans The Veterans Special Event Board is recruiting younger veterans from the Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts to join. “Our committee is getting older,” Veterans SEB Chairman Steve Bobb Sr., who is a Vietnam War-era Marine Corps veteran, said. Members of the Special Event Board attend events as flag carriers and represent the Tribe and their branch of service. Veterans interest- ed in volunteering should contact Tribal Council Chief of Staff Stacia Hernandez at 503-879-2304 or stacia.martin@grandronde.org or Tribal Council Administrative Assistant Shannon Simi at 503-879-2301 or shannon.simi@grandronde.org.
